Weight loss drugs show ‘modest’ cardiometabolic benefits

February 27, 2018

Siddharth Singh

Several weight loss medications approved by the FDA have only modest positive effects on cardiometabolic risk profile, according to new research published in Gastroenterology.

Siddharth Singh, MD, of the division of gastroenterology at the University of California San Diego, and colleagues conducted a systemic review and network meta-analysis of the effects of five FDA-approved weight loss drugs on cardiometabolic risk profile.

“Over one year, these medications had only a modest effect on favorably modifying cardiometabolic risk factors, including glucose profile, lipid profile, blood pressure and waist circumference,” Singh told Healio Gastroenterology and Liver Disease. “The effect size varies between different medications with some being effective for one and others being effective for others.”

Singh and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of 28 randomized controlled trials that included a total of 29,038 patients with a median BMI of 36.1kg/m2.

The researchers found an association between weight loss medications and a modest decrease in fasting blood glucose and waist circumference, but found no meaningful changes in systolic/diastolic blood pressure or cholesterol profile versus placebo.

Weight loss medication had only a modest positive effect on cardiometabolic risk factors, according to a meta-analysis.

Source: Shutterstock.com

“However, it is important to note that even small benefits across multiple cardiometabolic risk factors can have a synergistic effect in lowering cardiovascular morbidity,” Singh said. “Additionally, in a subset of patients who respond well to these medications, favorable effects on cardiometabolic risk profile may be more robust.”

Singh noted that more research is needed to evaluate the impact of weight loss medication on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. – by Alex Young

Disclosures: Singh reports support from the National Library of Medicine. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ disclosures.

Siddharth Singh

Several weight loss medications approved by the FDA have only modest positive effects on cardiometabolic risk profile, according to new research published in Gastroenterology.

Siddharth Singh, MD, of the division of gastroenterology at the University of California San Diego, and colleagues conducted a systemic review and network meta-analysis of the effects of five FDA-approved weight loss drugs on cardiometabolic risk profile.

“Over one year, these medications had only a modest effect on favorably modifying cardiometabolic risk factors, including glucose profile, lipid profile, blood pressure and waist circumference,” Singh told Healio Gastroenterology and Liver Disease. “The effect size varies between different medications with some being effective for one and others being effective for others.”

Singh and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of 28 randomized controlled trials that included a total of 29,038 patients with a median BMI of 36.1kg/m2.

The researchers found an association between weight loss medications and a modest decrease in fasting blood glucose and waist circumference, but found no meaningful changes in systolic/diastolic blood pressure or cholesterol profile versus placebo.

Weight loss medication had only a modest positive effect on cardiometabolic risk factors, according to a meta-analysis.

Source: Shutterstock.com

“However, it is important to note that even small benefits across multiple cardiometabolic risk factors can have a synergistic effect in lowering cardiovascular morbidity,” Singh said. “Additionally, in a subset of patients who respond well to these medications, favorable effects on cardiometabolic risk profile may be more robust.”

Singh noted that more research is needed to evaluate the impact of weight loss medication on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. – by Alex Young

Disclosures: Singh reports support from the National Library of Medicine. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ disclosures.